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2021 Grand Champion is…

30 Nov 2021

What an incredible night! Even though Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! is now in its sixteenth year, every year we are just blown away by the originality, passion and insights these young people share. Each Grand Final and its finalists are unique; 15 speeches provoking thought, discussion and action on a range of topics. 

This year 9,195 students from across London and Essex took part in expert-led communication skills workshops. For the 2021 cohort, their “Speak Out” Challenge! journey was unlike any other – all Regional Final events, ordinarily held in school halls and auditoriums with audiences of teachers, friends and family were replaced with Digital Finals. School champions recorded their speeches at home, participating in a pre-recorded event on Zoom.

For each of the 2021 Grand Finalists speaking on stage at the Cambridge Theatre at the Grand Final, it was their first opportunity to share their speech on a stage. 

Every finalist should be incredibly proud of themselves, but as with any competitions, someone must come out on top and we are delighted to tell you that the 2021 Grand Champion is Mayumi Staunton of Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Central Essex. Mayumi takes away the prize of £5000, £3000 of which is for her school.

Samatha de Almeida Germano of Whitmore High School became the runner-up. Solomon Sankoh of Gaynes School in Havering took third place and Conall Wainwright of Chelmer Valley High School, Central Essex took fourth place.